Policies and procedures related to adverse events should be developed and put in place prior to beginning a pharmacy-based immunization practice. If an adverse event occurs, everyone in the pharmacy should know the proper procedure. 

Each state may impose its own specific requirements. Refer to your Bula Intelligence Pharmacy Law FAQs on Immunizations—included in your Health Mart Member Benefits—to create a policies and procedures manual and to understand immunization requirements state by state. 

RELEVANT POLICIES & PROCEDURES TOPICS 

The relevant policies and procedures to have in place before vaccine administration begins may include:

• Policies and procedures required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), such as:
  • An Exposure Control Plan 
  • An offering of certain vaccinations at no charge to employees who may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens
  • The Hepatitis B Declaration Form provides an example of a form the pharmacy can customize for use in documenting employee decisions regarding whether to get the hepatitis B vaccination or not. If an employee declines hepatitis B vaccination initially, they may change their mind at any time.

Relevant policies and procedures to have in place for responding to an adverse event may include policies and procedures required by the state Board of Pharmacy.

These policies and procedures are merely examples. There may be additional or different required policies and procedures, and OSHA or other agencies may have specific requirements as to what the policies and procedures must contain, beyond the examples and samples discussed in this manual.

FOR YOUR REFERENCE: Download this Sharps Injury Log and keep it up to day.